Forensic anthropology screening for analyses of forensic genetics

Abstract

Nowadays, Forensic Genetics is one of the main tools used is the main tool used in cases of human identification. It uses molecular biology techniques to help in crime clarification, especially in the determination of the perpetrators. However, it is known that DNA analysis is still a high priced exam and that many times it is necessary for centers that don’t have a laboratory for this purpose to send their samples to be analyzed to other places, which can take months to get the results. As an adjunct technique to human identification, we can include the Forensic Anthropology, which is a field that applies physical anthropological and archeological methods for collecting and analyzing legal evidence, in order to to establish the identification of a human being. The anthropological forensic exam consists of tracing the bio-anthropological profile of the victim, including: sex, ancestry, age, stature, handedness, dental characteristics, bone abnormalities, bone diseases and individual characteristics. Whereby, it is hoped that the number of forensic DNA analyses will be reduced, once the forensic anthropological analysis shows data that make it possible to directly apply the DNA exam to a specific person or group of people. As a result, it is also possible to reduce the costs of a Genetic Forensic laboratory because there is also optimization of results. The protocol application to the bones analyzes of the Anthropological Forensic Laboratory (LAF) serves as a screening process prior to the forensic DNA exam. This protocol is already used in the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP) and it was created in 2005, in a joint project of the University of Sheffield (UK) and the Legal Medicine Center (CEMEL) of Medicine College of São Paulo University at Ribeirão Preto (FMRP/USP). With the bio-anthropological results of an anthropological forensic exam, it is possible to reduce the sample number of the DNA exam to be done, making it possible to reduce the time and the cost of these nature exams. This is demonstrated in the case report submitted here.